Capital Markets: Debt | Asia-Pacific

A&O Shearman has a prominent team offering expertise across the full spectrum of DCM and ECM including high-value IPOs. The team has notable experience handling cross-border listings and funding for M&A transactions, particularly within the energy and resources sector. The firm is known for its strength in the securitisation arena and is experienced in working with an extensive range of asset classes including auto loans, residential mortgages and credit cards. The team has access to the firm's global network and is noted for its expertise in the US and European bond markets. A&O Shearman has long-established relationships with a number of international investment banks and top ASX-listed companies. Its key clients include Citigroup, the NAB and Macquarie. On 1st May 2024, Allen & Overy and Shearman & Sterling merged to form A&O Shearman.

Allens maintains a strong reputation for its broad-ranging capital markets capabilities and works with a number of blue-chip clients, investment banks and other major financial institutions on significant ECM transactions including high-value block trades, IPOs and secondary offerings. The firm also possesses an impressive DCM practice working on a number of hybrid note issuances and US private placements. Allens handles matters involving offshore markets utilising the firm's cross-border expertise and its alliance with Linklaters. The team can draw on its significant regulatory expertise to advise arrangers and issuers, including institutional banks, on APRA guidelines. Its notable clients include Macquarie, Westpac and Bank of America.

Baker McKenzie demonstrates expertise in a range of ECM matters, including novel capital raisings and IPOs. The legal team routinely acts for underwriters, and handles cross-border capital raisings and listings throughout the Asia-Pacific region, with additional experience in the UK and US markets. Baker McKenzie is also noted for DCM expertise, including advice on note programmes and high-yield bonds. Its key clients include UBS, Citigroup and Sky Network Television.

Clayton Utz maintains a pace-setting team renowned for its outstanding securitisation practice, with extensive experience advising banks and financial institutions on new asset classes and securitisation structures. The capital markets team is well versed in an array of equity and debt transactions, including secondary raisings and kangaroo bonds. The legal team acts for both issuers and underwriters on IPOs, with a recent track record advising on many of the highest-value ASX listings. It is considered a go-to firm by technology companies for equity raisings. The department's key clients include Tianqi Lithium Corporation and Openpay Group.

Gilbert + Tobin maintains a leading practice in the ECM space, known especially for its strength in handling high-value and complex IPOs, secondary offerings and block trades for issuers, investors and underwriters. The firm also has considerable expertise in DCM, where it is frequently engaged on complex restructures and refinancing of high-yield bonds. Its key clients include J.P. Morgan, Macquarie Capital and Goldman Sachs.

MinterEllison is highly regarded for its deft handling of debt and equity transactions. The legal team acts for an impressive range of issuers, underwriters and lead managers on ASX listings, secondary raisings and bond matters. In addition, the team also represents trustees, offshore investors, REITs, and senior and mezzanine financiers in securitisation and initial raisings. MinterEllison advises on mezzanine and warehouse facilities as well as debt issuance programmes. The firm principally handles high-profile domestic work, but is also active on cross-border matters as a result of affiliations with international firms. Its clients include Nissan, Atrium Investment Management and PolyNovo.

Norton Rose Fulbright is a highly commended firm offering in-depth knowledge across the full gamut of capital market transactions. The capital markets team possesses particular experience in the corporate bond market and trustee advisory work. The team demonstrates strength in securitisation and structured finance transactions, as well as equity capital raises such as IPOs and secondary offerings. Norton Rose Fulbright boasts an impressive cross-border offering, strengthened by its international network of offices with locations in Europe, in the USA and across Asia. The firm acts for clients from a diverse range of industries, including energy, infrastructure and technology. Its key clients include Citigroup, 777 Partners and National Australia Bank.